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2010: KBH to air first big ad

COLORADO: "The Republican race to challenge Rep. Betsy Markey (D) is getting crowded." Markey knocked off a three-term Republican incumbent for Colorado's 4th Congressional seat last year, and, as of Tuesday night, faces a third Republican challenger: Dean Madere, "a Louisiana native who works for a heating and air conditioning company and says he's "average" but "frustrated" with the direction of the country."

CONNECTICUT: "In a move that would shake up two political races, the state Republican chairman is publicly asking state Sen. Sam Caligiuri to run against Democratic incumbent Rep. Christopher Murphy in the 5th Congressional district." Caligiuri is currently running for Sen. Chris Dodd's seat, but "has been lagging far behind in the money-raising race against the top-tier, big-money Republican candidates" including Linda McMahon, former ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley, and Fairfield County investor Peter Schiff.

Former aide to Rep. Rob Simmons and Afghanistan vet Justin Bernier, currently campaigning for Murphy's House seat, issued a statement contesting Healy's involvement in the race: "The situation in New York's 23rd congressional district showed us what happens when party insiders play favorites,'' Bernier said in a statement. "I am confident that the Republicans in the Fifth District of Connecticut will make the right decision in this nomination process." Bernier has already received the support of the National Republican Congressional Committee chairman Pete Sessions.

IOWA: Former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who has been "largely absent from multi-candidate forums" so far, is firing up the campaign car and heading out to meet with Republican and civic groups in the coming weeks. The onetime four-term governor now exploring a 2010 bid has announced a string of public appearances, as he begins to meet with Iowans around the state."

MASSACHUSETTS: "The airwaves are filled with feel-good ads about the candidates' backgrounds and beliefs. The debates and forums are marked more by comity than contention. But behind the scenes in the special election to fill the open US Senate seat, the three male Democratic candidates are struggling over the question of whether and how to directly attack the perceived front-runner, Attorney General Martha Coakley, with each hoping that one of the others will do it first," the Boston Globe writes.

TEXAS: "Kay Bailey Hutchison will launch the first broadcast ad of the hotly contested 2010 campaign for governor today. Hutchison will air radio ads statewide in what her campaign calls a "significant buy." Campaign aides wouldn't comment on the content of the ad, but it will air through November… At the same time, Hutchison is placing automated calls to potential Republican voters explaining her decision to stay in the Senate while running for governor against Rick Perry… In the recorded call, Hutchison explains that it was important to stay in office to fight Democratic-backed health care legislation."